SEASON-TICKET prices for adult fans at Turf Moor are set to go up by 17.5 per cent next season.

Match-day admissions are also rising with fixtures being graded for the first time. Category 'A' games will cost £2 more at the gate, while 'B' games will see fans having to pay £1 more than this season -- helping to boost the income from away supporters as well.

However, the Clarets, who say the increases are to bring the club more in line with First Division prices, are freezing their season-ticket prices for juniors at just £35, having sold 3,700 junior passes this term.

Chief executive Andrew Watson said: "We set the 2000/01 season prices while in Division Two with the promise of retaining the prices whether in Division One or Two.

"From the surveys of other clubs we are bottom of the table when it comes to Division One season-ticket prices. These clubs, particularly our more local neighbours, are obviously charging the right price for Division One and we need to get nearer to that level if we want to have the finances to give ourselves a chance of competing at the top end of the table.

"Despite the increase for 2001/02 these prices are still cheaper than the vast majority of our Division One rivals' 2000/01 prices.

"All extra money raised from season-ticket sales will be spent on increasing the wage bill for the manager to help him to retain and sign quality players."

An adult season-ticket in the Bob Lord Stand will now cost £299 up to the end of April (rising to £359) compared with £255 and £275 this season.

Concessions for over-65s, 16-18-year-olds and full-time students will be £150 rising to £180.

In the James Hargreaves Stand upper level, adult prices in the discount period have risen from £295 to £346 and in the Jimmy McIlroy Stand upper level adults will pay £252 instead of £215.

The cheapest season-ticket available for an adult next season rises from £200 to £235 in the Jimmy McIlroy Stand lower tier if bought before the end of April.

And the most expensive ticket in the upper tier of the James Hargreaves Stand is going up from £295 to £346 or £315 to £415 if bought after the end of next month.